On December 29, 1940, a decrypted report from Berlin landed on Stalin’s desk. “Meteor,” a resident of the intelligence directorate of the Red Army General Staff reported from Berlin: “‘Alta’ has reported that Hitler gave the order (learned from ‘Ariyets’ in highly informed circles) on preparations for war with the USSR, which is planned toContinueContinue reading “Two German Spies Alert the Soviets to Germany’s War Preparations: Alta, Ariyets, and Barbarossa”
Monthly Archives: August 2025
Cosmonauts to Brezhnev in Top Secret 1965 Letter: Soviet Woes and US Gains in Space
On 22 October 1965, a letter was sent to Leonid Brezhnev about the challenges facing the Soviet Union’s once all-powerful space program. The letter that hit Brezhnev’s desk was probably worth his attention for two reasons: first, it carried the classified “Top Secret,” and second, it was signed by seven cosmonauts, well-known across the globeContinueContinue reading “Cosmonauts to Brezhnev in Top Secret 1965 Letter: Soviet Woes and US Gains in Space”
Barents Sea Area Closures Reach the Arctic for Russian Navy Missile Launches Scheduled for 27-31 August 2025
On 22 August 2025, the Russian Federation Ministry of Defense filed a large maritime closure area that stretches from Murmansk, across the Barents, and into the Arctic to ensure safe lanes for missile launches from 27 to 31 August, with a local time window of 0300-2100 GMT each day. While the Russian-issued advisory offered noContinueContinue reading “Barents Sea Area Closures Reach the Arctic for Russian Navy Missile Launches Scheduled for 27-31 August 2025”
1955: Soviet Scientists Float Idea of Launching an Artificial Earth Satellite by 1958 to Leadership
We all know the rest of the story. Sputnik was launched by the Soviet Union in early October, 1957, thanks to a plucky team of scientists and Khrushchev’s desire to beat the Americans. On 5 August 1955, eminent Soviet scientists Mikhail Khrunichev, Vasiliy Ryabikov, and Sergey Korolev wrote a second letter to Soviet leaders KhrushchevContinueContinue reading “1955: Soviet Scientists Float Idea of Launching an Artificial Earth Satellite by 1958 to Leadership”
1986: Gorbachev Reacts to US Mass Expulsion of Soviets on Heels of Reykjavik Summit
1986 was an exciting year in the world of foreign policy, especially for the Americans and Soviets. Here’s a brief rundown of events that sets the tone for this article: March 7: The United States orders the Soviet Union to reduce staff members of the Soviet, Ukrainian, and Belorussian missions to the United Nations toContinueContinue reading “1986: Gorbachev Reacts to US Mass Expulsion of Soviets on Heels of Reykjavik Summit”
On Putin’s Orders, Russian Ministry of Education Compiles First List of Patriotic Books for School Children
It was reported on 20 August 2025 that the Ministry of Education prepared the first official list of patriotic literature for extracurricular reading, on the instructions of President Vladimir Putin. These books are to appear in all school libraries across Russia. The works are divided by age and topic: “About the Motherland,” “The Great PatrioticContinueContinue reading “On Putin’s Orders, Russian Ministry of Education Compiles First List of Patriotic Books for School Children”
Russia’s Nuclear Industry Celebrates its 80th Anniversary with Publication of Top Secret Implementation Decree
Today (20 August 2025) marks the 80th anniversary of the official establishment of the Russian (then Soviet) nuclear industry. The event was marked by an open letter to the world, signed by Rosatom’s General Director Aleksey Likhachev, the Chairman of RPRAEP [the Russian Professional Union of Atomic Energy and Industry Workers] Vladimir Kuznetsov, and theContinueContinue reading “Russia’s Nuclear Industry Celebrates its 80th Anniversary with Publication of Top Secret Implementation Decree”
Russian Destroyer Severomorsk Conducts ASW Exercise in Barents Sea En Route to Arctic
A press release dated 19 August 2025 from the Russian Federation Ministry of Defense indicates that the large ASW ship (Udaloy-class destroyer) Severomorsk, on her way to the Arctic for a long deployment as part of Northern Fleet expeditionary detachment, took part in antisubmarine warfare maneuvers in the northern regions of the Barents Sea. TheContinueContinue reading “Russian Destroyer Severomorsk Conducts ASW Exercise in Barents Sea En Route to Arctic”
Russian Navy Baltic Fleet Minesweepers Conduct Exercise to Locate and Destroy Mines in the Baltic Sea
According to the Baltic Fleet Public Affairs Office on 19 August 2025, a Baltic Fleet naval minesweeper group, consisting of the offshore minesweepers Aleksandr Obukhov and Lev Chernavyn in the waters of the Baltic Sea, conducted an maneuvers to search for and neutralize mines. In the sea combat training range, the crew of the offshoreContinueContinue reading “Russian Navy Baltic Fleet Minesweepers Conduct Exercise to Locate and Destroy Mines in the Baltic Sea”
10+ Russian Navy Caspian Flotilla Ships Take to the Sea in Opposing Force Exercise
The Russian Federation Ministry of Defense Public Affairs Office reported on 19 August 2025 that more than 10 Caspian Flotilla ships put out to sea to participate in an opposing force exercise consisting of various tactical groups to practice performing assigned tasks. According to a press release, “During the exercise, the crews of guided missile,ContinueContinue reading “10+ Russian Navy Caspian Flotilla Ships Take to the Sea in Opposing Force Exercise”
Translating History 